Report: Mets high on 2B Ben Zobrist

If Daniel Murphy is not returning to play second base for the New York Mets next season, perhaps his World Series counterpart could be in play.

Free-agent second baseman Ben Zobrist, who has played six other positions in the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals, is likely to command a deal in the $40 to $50 million range.

The New York Post reported the Mets kicked the tires on signing Zobrist with agent Alan Nero.

The Mets made a qualifying offer to Murphy but the playoff hero declined the $15.8 million deal for 2016. He's likely to get $10 million-plus on a five-year deal, Fox Sports reported.

Zobrist could draw interest from several teams, including the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. Zobrist played for Cubs manager Joe Maddon in Tampa and converted shortstop Starlin Castro is reportedly being made available via trade.